Hosted By: Spokane Sports Commission and Spokane Gymnastics
Spokane Convention Center 334 W Spokane Falls Blvd, Spokane, Wa
USA Gymnastics Selects Spokane for Junior Olympic Championship
INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 29, 2014 – USA Gymnastics has selected the sites for the 2015 Women's Junior Olympic Level 9 Eastern and Western Championships. The 2015 Women's Junior Olympic Level 9 Eastern Championships will be held at the Osceola Heritage Park Exhibition Hall in Kissimmee, Fla., and the Level 9 Western Championships will be staged at the Spokane (Wash.) Convention Center. Held May 8-10, the Eastern and Western Championships are the competitive season's culmination event and feature the best gymnasts in the country for Level 9.
The Junior Olympic Eastern and Western Championships are two of USA Gymnastics' championships events. Both have 16 age divisions that are determined by birthdate. Many Junior Olympians have gone on to make the U.S. National Team and represent the United States in international competition and/or to compete in collegiate gymnastics.
The Western Championships will be hosted locally by the Spokane Sports Commission and Spokane Gymnastics. The Level 9 Western Championships showcases the top gymnasts from Regions 1-4. The states that comprise each region are: Region 1 -- Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah; Region 2 – Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington; Region 3 – Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Wyoming; and Region 4 – Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin.
“It’s the second time in two years that USA Gymnastics has selected Spokane for a championship event and we couldn’t be more honored,” said Eric Sawyer, Spokane Sports Commission president and CEO. “From our local gymnastics community, to our facilities, to our hospitality partners, Spokane will roll out the red carpet for the athletes, coaches and fans.”
Both organizations have worked with USA Gymnastics on other events. Spokane hosted the 2014 Elite Challenge and Levels 5-7 National Championships earlier this year, which featured athletes in trampoline and tumbling. CFSC has partnered with USA Gymnastics on several international events, including the upcoming 2014 World Trampoline and Tumbling Championships and World Age Group Competitions in November, the 2014 Stars and Stripes Cup and Junior Pan American Championships (trampoline and tumbling/rhythmic gymnastics), and the 2012 World Acrobatic Gymnastics Championships.